FAQ’s

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Questions from Alumni/ae & Churches

If I graduated from Andover Newton Theological School, am I an alum of Andover Newton or of Yale?

Andover Newton Theological School retained its accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools until the final class graduated in 2018, which means: once an Andover Newton alum, always an Andover Newton alum. Whether it is a CV or an application for chaplaincy, under the heading of “Education,” you should continue to list “Andover Newton Theological School” with your degree and year of graduation. Are you looking for information about transcripts? Find answers below!
 

How do I request an official copy of my transcript?

Official transcripts for graduates of Andover Newton Theological School and Bangor Theological Seminary are available through the registrar’s office at Yale Divinity School. Additionally, there is no fee for requesting transcripts. The process is straightforward, and it is outlined on the Transcript Request page of this website. 
 

Does Andover Newton continue to hold Alumni/ae Convocation for graduates of Andover Newton Theological School?

Each year in October, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School hosts Alumni/ae Convocation for graduates of both ANTS and Andover Newton Seminary. Typically, this is a day-long event with an opening worship service, workshops, a state-of-the-school from Dean Sarah Drummond, and the announcement of the Spirit of the Hill (alumni/ae lifetime achievement) Award. As noted, this is typically a day-long event, but we have learned much and adjusted a lot during these atypical times. Information about these events is made available in late May and registration opens the last week of August or the first week of September. Recordings of workshops and other presentations from the 2020 Alumni/ae Convocation activities can be found on the website.
 

I am alum of Andover Newton Theological School. How do I access library materials?

Andover Newton Theological School graduates continue to have borrowing privileges at a number of Boston-area schools. A list of these and information about borrowing is available under the alumni/ae dropdown of this website. Additionally, alumni/ae are able to request free online access to the ATLAS® PLUS for ALUM database through the Yale Divinity Library. More details are also located on the same page linked above.
 

How do I receive updates from Andover Newton?

Andover Newton sends “News From the Hill,” a monthly email blast with updates about the school, program opportunities, and general information to alumni/ae, friends, and churches for whom we have updated contact information. The seminary is also active on social media (https://www.facebook.com/AndoverNewton; Instagram at @andover_newton. Not only are updates about Andover Newton shared on social media, but we also frequently share celebratory news from alums doing the good and faithful work of enacting God’s love and justice in the world.
If you are not currently receiving monthly email updates, please make sure we have correct contact information by filling out this online form.
 

Are there continuing education opportunities available to alumni/ae?

Along with the great workshops offered during Alumni/ae Convocation, there are other ways to stay engaged with learning opportunities through Andover Newton and Yale Divinity School. Andover Newton faculty members offer week-long intensive courses during Yale Divinity School’s summer study sessions. All Summer Study sessions are open to Andover Newton alumni/ae, as well as local area clergy. When available, information about the summer session can be found on the Summer Study webpage, where you can also sign up for email updates. Andover Newton also hosts three named lectures each year. These are The Simpson-Hewett Lecture in Congregational History, The Rose and Orlando Costas Lecture, and the Bauer-Broholm Lecture. Find a video from the 2020 Simpson-Hewett Lecture offered by Marilyn Robinson on this website.
 

How can I have a staff member, or a student visit/preach at my church?

Andover Newton faculty, staff, and students are available and eager to preach at local churches. We are also happy to record sermons and/or join your congregation via Zoom. Dean Sarah B. Drummond and Associate Dean Ned Allyn Parker are not only available to preach, but also to meet with church members discerning a call to ministry, or for information sessions about Andover Newton. Please email the Institutional Advancement office to schedule a visit from one of our community members.
 

Questions about Development and Fundraising

Am I giving to Andover Newton or to Yale?

The answer to this question is, “Yes.” Giving to Andover Newton supports Andover Newton Seminary’s budget, programs, and mission. Andover Newton is also an embedded institution within Yale Divinity School, which is also an embedded institution within Yale University. Andover Newton decides how to use donated funds, while Yale invests and stewards these funds, which has proven to be a very successful arrangement resulting from this partnership. 
 

How do I get a record of my gift for tax purposes?

Tax receipts come from Yale by email, if your gift is made online, and by snail mail if you send a check. If you have lost or misplaced your receipt for the current year, please contact Ned Allyn Parker, who will make sure you receive an additional copy.
 

What does a gift to the Annual Fund support?

Andover Newton does not receive tuition revenue for the diploma program, which means that students do not pay additional fees to be a part of the Andover Newton Seminary program. It also means that we rely, in part, on the faithful and generous contributions made to the Annual Fund to support operations, provide scholarship support, and deliver our programs. Gifts directed to the Annual Fund are put to immediate use in a variety of ways, providing timely assistance to address Andover Newton’s greatest needs across campus. Among the most critical needs are student financial aid, faculty salaries and support, and curriculum and program development.
 

How can I create a scholarship?

Scholarships not only help students long into the future, but they are also a way of offering tribute to the legacy of a loved one connected to Andover Newton, whether they be a graduate or a friend of the school. Andover Newton, along with Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School, has made scholarships a top priority for fundraising. We want students to enter ministry unencumbered by graduate school debt and to be able to make their career decisions based on sacred call. Andover Newton Seminary invites our individual and community partners to join us in addressing this priority, recognizing the impact it will make on clergy and the congregations in which they serve. Seminary debt is a crisis we must overcome, and we can only do it with our faithful companions who have journeyed with us through so much.
 

Can I give gifts of stock?

There are a number of ways to make a donation to Andover Newton. Gifts of stock are one of these. To learn more, visit our Ways to Give page.
 

Miscellaneous Questions

A member of my church is feeling a call to ministry. How do they find more information about Andover Newton’s program and apply?

The first step for a prospective student who wishes to study at Andover Newton Seminary is to contact the Yale Divinity School Admissions Office. The Admissions Office will refer questions to the Andover Newton Dean, faculty, and staff as needed as the admissions process unfolds. When applying to YDS, those interested in Andover Newton are asked to note their intentions on their applications.
One can also find answers to FAQ’s about admission to YDS by visiting the Admissions FAQ page. 
 

Have Andover Newton’s historic denominational partners been supportive of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School?

Yes, denominational leaders have been very supportive and encouraging of Andover Newton’s journey from free-standing to embedded status. Andover Newton remains a seminary of the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches (USA).  We also will maintain close ties with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Will you be at an upcoming ABC Mission Summit, UCC General Synod, or UU General Assembly? Come find us in the Andover Newton booth!